Applicants in the Functional Food section should be developing innovative products that have added ingredients, offering health benefits that extend beyond their nutritional value. Some examples include foods fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or fibre. We expect companies to showcase modified functional foods and demonstrate significant innovation as well as technological advancement.

Applicants in the Alternative Proteins section should be innovating to create sustainable plant-based or cell-based proteins that can act as substitutes for traditional animal food products. From plant-based protein to mycoprotein, insect powder, lab-grown meat and biomass fermentation, the startups should offer non-meat-based protein that can improve nutrition and reduce global warming issues. We expect companies to showcase innovation in the protein production with the potential to disrupt the incumbent industry.

Applicants in the Food Waste section should be tech companies that have developed innovative ways to reduce food waste, from farm to fork. It includes the use of technology like food-sharing apps, “smart” storage systems, high-tech packaging and turning waste into energy. We expect companies to showcase innovative technology that can improve the way our food is produced, distributed and consumed, transforming our food systems for the better and tackling the food waste crisis.

Applicants in the Personalisation section should be developing innovative digital technologies that provide customised products and services. The startups should either offer tools to speed the mass personalisation in the supply chain or to provide services and technologies improving the customer experience, diet and health. From custom-made food and drinks based on the customer’s DNA to 3D-printed vitamins, personalised diet plans, and computer-aided intelligence for recipe creation, we expect companies to showcase significant innovation and technological advancement either through software or hardware applications.

Applicants in the Digitalisation & AI section should be building new dynamic big data or AI-powered solutions to improve food processing, distribution, retail or dining. We expect companies to drive digital transformation through software development, IoT, cloud computing, or monitoring. Be it mobile app development, inventory management software and online ordering, food delivery or restaurant POS systems, we expect companies to showcase significant innovation and technological advancement either through software or hardware applications. If your company specialises in automation, AI or digital technologies improving the food production cycle processes, we encourage applying to Agri Tech section.

Applicants in the Agritech section should be innovating to drive the transition to climate-smart agriculture and to speed the Agricultural Revolution. From smart farming to precision farming, biotech, and vertical farming, we expect companies to showcase significant innovation and technological advancement that will improve yield, efficiency, and profitability in food production. Advanced agricultural technology can be products, services or applications derived from agriculture that improve various food production cycle processes. If your Company specialises in technology improving animal farming, we encourage applying to Animal Tech section.

Applicants in the Animal Tech section should be innovators creating new effective ways to improve production capacity, monitor herd health, prevent disease outbreaks or optimise nutrition. From precision farming to the ‘connected cow concept’, optimising livestock nutrition and breeding and genetics, we expect companies to showcase significant innovation and technological advancement either through software of hardware applications.

Think. Act. Disrupt.

There is no bigger industry than food and agriculture, as almost 8 billion lives depend on it daily. Technology is slowly becoming one of the most important contributors in food’s journey from farms to our plates, making an increasing impact on the industry each year. Food Tech Congress 2021 is bringing together top global investors, entrepreneurs and government leaders for exclusive talks and hands-on learning experiences. The main stage is where you’ll explore the industry’s insights, learn from the best, and connect with people who build things – your next big thing starts here, on the main stage.